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tatami slippers

English translation: if you mean...

02:27 Nov 23, 2004
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Tourism & Travel
English term or phrase: tatami slippers
These are clean and sterilized tatami slippers for your exclusive use in this hotel. Please find the bag for them in the towel set and use it to keep them when you enjoy the bath or banquet.

Are "tatami slippers' understandable?
Mitsuko
Local time: 02:18
Selected answer:if you mean...
Explanation:
...a Japanese equivalent to carpet slippers, i.e. slippers for use on tatami/carpet, rather than made from it !!

However, you probably mean either:
...use it to keep them IN when...
or
...use it to store them when...

And I can see the logic behind putting them in a bag when you're in the bath (although I'd probably just chuck them on the floor!), but not while you're eating... Do you mean "dining room"?
Selected response from:

Charlie Bavington
Local time: 18:18
Grading comment
Thank you. I used "slippers" and "store them ...."
And,thank you every one.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
3 +6...are made out of tatami
Julie Roy
4clogs of tatami sole
humbird
3if you mean...
Charlie Bavington
3geta ?
sarahl (X)


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
if you mean...


Explanation:
...a Japanese equivalent to carpet slippers, i.e. slippers for use on tatami/carpet, rather than made from it !!

However, you probably mean either:
...use it to keep them IN when...
or
...use it to store them when...

And I can see the logic behind putting them in a bag when you're in the bath (although I'd probably just chuck them on the floor!), but not while you're eating... Do you mean "dining room"?

Charlie Bavington
Local time: 18:18
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you. I used "slippers" and "store them ...."
And,thank you every one.
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26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +6
...are made out of tatami


Explanation:
check out these links for pairs of tatami slippers (slipper made out of tatami):

http://lilin.com/showcase/show06.html

http://www.locoboutique.com/LocoItem.asp?pCat=ACCESS&pSubcat...

http://www.hilohattie.com/showdetl.cfm?catid=19&objectgroup_...

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Note added at 26 mins (2004-11-23 02:54:33 GMT)
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tatami slippers are not made to walk on tatami mats, they are simply made out of tatami

Julie Roy
Canada
Local time: 13:18
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench, Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  sarahl (X): you mean made of straw?
2 mins
agree  Ines Garcia Botana
8 mins
agree  KathyT: These slippers are also what I immediately thought of when I heard the term "tatami slippers." Usually, the appearance is near-identical to tatami (the weave/straw colour, etc.)
13 mins
agree  wordsandmore
43 mins
neutral  humbird: Wow, they are all new to me! However they are foreign invention for Japanese people, I guess. Have you noticed they are all made outside of Japan?
1 hr
agree  Refugio: yes, zoris made with smooth straw next to the foot, leather or rubber next to the floor.
3 hrs
agree  Lisa Frideborg Eddy (X)
6 hrs
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8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
geta ?


Explanation:
I'm afraid tatami slippers doesn't make much sense to westerners! tatami usually brings to mind martial arts, or is it just me?

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Note added at 1 hr 17 mins (2004-11-23 03:45:08 GMT)
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I would say setta slippers then.

sarahl (X)
Local time: 10:18
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  lidia ausbrook: YesJapan.com - Culture Center... Do not walk on the tatami with your slippers on. ... Put on slippers after removing your shoes. Remove slippers when entering a room with TATAMI mats. ...
9 mins
  -> sorewo shitteirunoyo, getamo haitta kotoga arimasu.
neutral  humbird: No tatami slippers doesn't. I agree. However your tatami association with martial arts really throws me off. I thought it reminds many a serene tea room or rooms of tranditional Japanese inns.
1 hr
  -> ask any westerner who doesn't know Japan about tatami, they'll probably think dojo, martial arts.
neutral  Refugio: Here in California tatami slippers are very well known and widely used, even sold in supermarkets.
4 hrs
  -> wow! I lived in CA 7 years and I never heard the word!
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
clogs of tatami sole


Explanation:
Geta was used to be named as "clogs" before it became as popular as they are now in America. So I think this is one of your coices.
By the way "tatami slippers" is confusing word because it sounds like slippers you wear on tatami room. "Tatami" is already well-known among those who know something about Japan, the association of this word to them would be the tatami room itself, and not the "igusa" material as a sole. It sounds quite peculiar. If I were you I would avoid it.

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Note added at 1 hr 39 mins (2004-11-23 04:06:59 GMT)
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OK, after I visited Julie\'s links I acknowledge there is such word as \"tatami slippers\". But it will be a while before this term is accepted and become household name.

humbird
Native speaker of: Native in JapaneseJapanese, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 11
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